That's because while promoting Hairspray Live! at the Television Critics Association press tour on Tuesday, Penny Pingleton herself flat out said participating in the NBC musical was "way much more fun" than her pop star career!

In fact, the 23-year-old singer — who got her start in Jason Robert Brown's 13 on Broadway before moving over to Nickelodeon — actually wants her role in the live TV musical to be understated, saying:

"I don't want to change anything about the role or how she develops. I just love Penny and it's such a great honor to play her. I don't want any special icing or parts.

The fact that I'm here doing this today, sitting on this stage with such incredible people — every time Harvey [Fierstein] speaks, like my heart bursts. A light goes off inside my heart. Kristin Chenoweth… we're soulmates! I don't even know what's happening. My theater geek inside, which is what I am, I can't take it. It's very overwhelming and very exciting. Penny's been my favorite character since the start!"

If she's good enough for JRB, she's good enough for NBC. Ha!

It sounds to us like Ariana may be thinking about transitioning from a decent music career back to the world of acting — do YOU think it's a good career move??

"My metabolism actually changed like crazy this year. I have Hashimoto's disease. It's a thyroid disease, and it's now been two years since taking the medication for it, so for the VS show I didn't want to lose any more weight, I just want to have muscles in the right place, and if my butt can get a little perkier, then that's good."